Washington (CNN) – Centrist Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine joined her GOP colleagues Wednesday in questioning the role Susan Rice – the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations – played in the days following a deadly attack at the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

Collins, speaking after a meeting with Rice on Capitol Hill, said Rice was playing a political role when she appeared on television to explain the attack that left four Americans dead stemmed from protests of an anti-Islam video. That video now appears not to have been a factor in the Benghazi attack.

"I still have many questions that remain unanswered," said Collins, who is recognized as one of the Senate's most moderate Republicans. "I continue to be troubled by the fact that the U.N. ambassador decided to play what was essentially a political role at the height of a contentious presidential election campaign by agreeing to go on the Sunday shows to present the administration's position."

She also said she was not ready to confirm support for Rice should she be nominated by President Barack Obama to become the next secretary of state. While no name has yet been put forth by the White House, many speculate Rice would be a top choice to succeed Hillary Clinton in the role of the nation's top diplomat.

"I would need to have additional information before I could support her nomination," Collins said, adding she thought another potential nominee – Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts – would be "easily confirmed by his colleagues."

Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tennessee, speaking after his meeting with Rice Wednesday, called the issue of Benghazi "a tawdry affair," and encouraged Obama to "step back for a moment" before nominating Rice to be secretary of state.

"All of us here hold the secretary of state to a very different standard than most cabinet members," Corker said.

Adding a new wrinkle to the questioning of Rice, Collins said the U.S. envoy's role in the aftermath of the Benghazi attack was particularly jarring since Rice was closely involved in the State Department's response to the 1998 embassy bombing in Africa. At the time, Rice was serving as the U.S. assistant secretary of state for African affairs.

"What troubles me so much is the Benghazi attack in many ways echoes the attacks on those embassies in 1998 when Susan Rice was head of the African region for our State Department," Collins said. "In both cases the ambassador begged for additional security."

Collins' remarks echo statements from Sen. McCain, who on Tuesday said he and fellow Republicans Sen. Kelly Ayotte and Lindsey Graham were "significantly troubled" by many of the answers they received from Rice, who met with the trio on Tuesday.

"It was clear that the information that she gave the American people was incorrect when she said that it was a spontaneous demonstration triggered by a hateful video," McCain said. "There was compelling evidence at the time that was certainly not the case, including statements by Libyans as well as other Americans who are fully aware that people don't bring mortars and rocket propelled grenades to a spontaneous demonstration."

In defending her remarks, Rice has said she was using de-classified talking points that did not reference the attack as a pre-meditated terror attack, and the spokesman for the Director of National Intelligence later said those talking points were prepared by the intelligence community, and not modified by other governmental agencies.

"When discussing the attacks on our facilities in Benghazi, I relied solely and squarely on the information provided to me by the intelligence community. I made clear that the information was preliminary," Rice told reporters last Wednesday.

Republicans have questioned why the administration used Rice as their spokeswoman, rather than an official more closely involved with the investigation. Her appearances on the five network and cable Sunday talk shows to discuss the Benghazi attacks also coincided with the meeting of the U.N. General Assembly, during which Rice has generally made television appearances.

Asked by journalists about Rice during a photo opportunity at the White House Wednesday, Obama called his U.N. ambassador "extraordinary" and said he "couldn't prouder of the job she's done."

soundoff(59 Responses)

Sniffit

"The fact is, this is an impeachable offense, I hope they pursue it..."

No it's not. Grow up and go read something. All you accomplished was to highlight what everyone already knows but the MSM is unwiilng to say: now that Obama ruined the GOP's first "number one priority" it has changed to "our number one priority is to find some weaksauce excuse for abusing our House majority to impeach Obama."

November 28, 2012 01:34 pm at 1:34 pm |

Lynda/Minnesota

"The Republican party has become the party of sleaze. I'm ashamed that I ever voted Republican."

As am I. I am also sick to death of the lies this party feeds a growing population of ignorant fools. If they want to act and speak like idiots, so be it. But don't take down a woman who had nothing to do with the decision making process concerning the Benghazi attacks. If GOPers want answers ... try talking to Petraeus ... not Susan Rice.

November 28, 2012 01:35 pm at 1:35 pm |

kayla

the repugs want john kerry so they can get scott brown for his seat, it's all about politics. it has nothing to do with bengazi

November 28, 2012 01:36 pm at 1:36 pm |

NVa Native

Since the day Obama trounced McCain the goppers have been desperate to create an issue to diminish Obama's outstanding performance leading the US out of the Republican Recession.

November 28, 2012 01:36 pm at 1:36 pm |

Sniffit

Anyone got a link to the video of Colin Powell giving his speech telling the American public that Iraq had WMDs?

November 28, 2012 01:37 pm at 1:37 pm |

ron

Hey if she doesnt get the nomination she can work for ACORN. She has proven she is dishonest enough for that type of position.

November 28, 2012 01:37 pm at 1:37 pm |

Cory

This isnt about susan rice and the gop knows it. The only reason they dont want rice in is because they need kerry to be voted in. with him voted in, the gop can try to replace his seat with other republician. They doing this to have more bodies in the senate. That is thier plan. They are using this a a smoke screen. With rice in, the gop wont be able to replace kerry spot in the senate.

November 28, 2012 01:39 pm at 1:39 pm |

tepeters

It is one thing to question her about being too poltical – even if those were the talking points given her- but the issue is the GOP, ala fast and furious, trying to paint some grand conspiracy and cover up. That is the GOP just being political. I have listened to her Face the Nation interview-she never ruled out organized terrorists either. This is just a GOP sham trying to salvage some points after losing the election. They are the one;s dishonoring those who died as Romney did right after the event with his wild accusations.

November 28, 2012 01:40 pm at 1:40 pm |

HateHatred

It is all politics. Why do you think the GOP want Obama to pick Kerry and not Rice? Maybe because they hope to put a republican in the space left open by Kerry stepping down from the Senate? Hmmmmm. Plus that old goat McCain has a cross to burn because Rice embarassed him publically. Like I said, it is ALL politics.